"But I have one condition." She raised her head and looked Uesugi Hara straight in the eye. "If Class B grows to the point where it no longer needs help, I'll end our cooperation without hesitation."
Uesugi Hara smiled. "Of course. The ideal outcome is for you to end our cooperation, rather than for me to decide you've lost your value and discard you without mercy, then find someone else who can help me control Class B.
"So... Ichinose, you'll have to prove your worth."
My worth...?
Uesugi really doesn't hide how cold-hearted or ambitious he is.
But I'll grow stronger!
Ichinose Honami took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "From now on, I'll change Class B's strategy. We won't keep pursuing peaceful coexistence at all costs. Instead, we'll learn to protect ourselves while fighting for greater benefits..."
Uesugi Hara interrupted her. "That's for you to think about. There's no point telling me. I'll help Class B, but Class B will have to do some things for me, too."
"...I understand."
Now that they'd finished discussing business, Uesugi Hara could finally ask what had been bothering him.
"Ichinose, why did you get drunk?"
"I went to talk to Hoshinomiya-sensei, but she thought it wasn't helping, so she dragged me to her room and had me drink a little... She wouldn't let me leave unless I drank..." Ichinose Honami said awkwardly.
She really couldn't approve of the way Hoshinomiya-sensei had lecherously recommended her personal stash.
Uesugi Hara rubbed his forehead. As expected of that boozehound who didn't act like a teacher in the slightest.
"How much is 'a little'?"
"About this much..."
She showed him the distance between her index finger and thumb.
Uesugi Hara estimated that it was about a third of a can. "Beer?"
"Mm."
Ichinose